SLMHC seeking accommodations for new staff as it faces a staffing shortage in most departments

Tim Brody - Editor

The Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre (SLMHC) is in need of accommodations for new staff.
Dean Osmond, SLMHC Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Chief Nursing Executive, shared, “It is very difficult for new staff from out of town to find accommodations, thus having to decline a job offer, or prolong their starting date. The housing availability in Sioux Lookout has been an ongoing issue.”
On Sept. 14 the Health Centre shared on its Facebook page, as well as the Sioux Lookout & Area Events and Services Facebook page, “We currently have new clinical staff that are seeking permanent rental accommodations in Sioux Lookout! If you have a rental unit that you are looking to rent, and would like to help new healthcare professionals settle into our community, please reach out to: humanresources@slmhc.on.ca.”
“We seem to be constantly looking for permanent housing for new staff,” Osmond added.
He shared, “The lack of housing has a huge impact on recruiting efforts as positions are left vacant due to the lack of accommodations. New hires who plan to move to Sioux Lookout, alone or with their families, cannot seem to find available or affordable housing, so therefore they end up rescinding their letter of offer.”
Osmond said the SLMHC is recruiting not only for clinical staff, but vacancies in all disciplines, RN’s, RPN’s, PSWs, PCA’s, Ward Clerks, Housekeeping Aides, Dietary Aides, Head Cooks, Dietitians, Counselors, Clerks, Security Guards, Pharmacists and more. “The lack of staff places additional workload on the current staff, increasing staff burnout and turnover. The use of agency staff has placed a huge financial burden on the hospital, but remains necessary to maintain current services,” he said.
SLMHC owns two 4-plex units (16 rooms) and two apartments within walking distance of the hospital, which Osmond said are fully operational and filled to capacity at all times. “We have many other units leased to accommodate staff,” he said. 
 “We are experiencing a health human resource shortage that has never been experienced prior, not unlike the region, Province, and Country,” Osmond shared, concluding, “SLMHC has been extremely fortunate that up to present, we have not had any of our core services closed. This is mainly due to the commitment of our staff and physicians. We continue to work on recruitment and retention strategies. Despite our best efforts, our hospital is currently facing a staffing shortage in most departments.”